Alex is sitting in the stands at the pitch, his broom beside him, staring off across the pitch and thinking. He doesn't seem to notice anything going on around him.

Ashton walks up, wearing his practise robes, and half-gloves, carrying his own broom. He waves. "Hey, Alex!"

Alex jerks back, looking startled for a moment before his brain processes Ashton standing there. He shakes his head to clear it and smiles. "Hey, Ashton! How are you?"

Ashton smiles brightly as he sits next to him. "I'm great. How're you?"

"Oh. I'm. I'm good." Alex grins again and looks Ashton over in his practise robes. "Your first practise today?"

Ashton's smile goes wider, if possible. "Yeah. Oh, I'm so excited. Maybe a bit nervous, but all the same, really excited."

Alex nods. "Yeah. I remember that feeling." He pauses and laughs. "I. Um. I still feel like sometimes. You'll do great."

Ashton giggles, blushing slightly. "Thanks, Alex. If you say I will, then I think I will too. Though, I don't see why you still get nervous. I figure this is really just first time jitters or something, and it'll go away eventually. I mean, it's just practise, right?"

Alex shrugs and smiles wider at your enthusiasm. "Oh yeah. That's exactly right. I. Um. I don't really know why I still get nervous. Maybe it's the adrenaline or something. I'm just always so anxious to get to playing." He slaps Ashton on the arm good-naturedly. "I'm really glad you made the team. Playing Ravenclaw should be fun this year."

Ashton nods enthusiastically. "Oh, I'm sure it will be. It's really a shame we won't get to play each other until April. I've been thinking about that game a lot lately, I guess, though I really should be concentrating on Slytherin, next month."

"Wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you'll have to play your girlfriend when you play us, would it?" Alex teases, grinning.

Ashton turns bright crimson, and buries his face in his hands. "Um, well, we, that's....yeah."

Alex beams, "Ash, that's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm happy for you." He shrugs. "Besides, I haven't seen Hannah that smiley in... well... ever."

"Oh, no no. I'm not embarrassed. It's just...well, really new for me. I blush this much around her, too." He smiles. "And, from what I've been reading...I'm not the only one around here making people...'smiley'."

"Um. Well. Er. No. I guess you're not." Alex blushes slightly and laughs. "It must be contagious."

He laughs with Alex. "I'm glad. You two seem...I dunno. Good for each other? I don't really know how else to put it. You're happy, he's happy. Like me and Hannah." Pauses. "Only, she's a girl." He smiles genuinely, hoping Alex knows he doesn't mean anything negative by that.

Alex pretends mock surprise. "She is? Wow... No wonder she doesn't share the dorm with us then..." and he laughs. "Honestly though, I think you two are really good for each other too. I mean. She stood up to Malfoy!"

"You know, she really didn't have to. But...gosh, she is so amazing."

"Yeah, she is. It was funny though. I think there were like five of us ready to jump up if he went too far."

He blushes deeply. "I know, and...I guess it's because everyone doesn't really like Draco. I mean, I'm used to people saying things about my size. I just ignore it, most of the time. It's no big deal."

Alex pats him on the arm. "I don't think it was just that we don't like Malfoy. I mean... maybe partially because we don't like Malfoy... but mostly because it's not right for him, for anyone, to say those things to you... or to anyone." Alex shrugs. "I'm just sorry you've had to get used to it."

"Oh, no. It's not like it happens all the time. I just learn to ignore it. It's not something I can help, so it's not something I should waste my time and energy worrying about." He shrugs. "But, I still appreciate all of you being willing to stick up for me."

"Really too bad he didn't push too far. If we'd all gone at him he would have been out of commission hiding in his rooms again, and you wouldn't have to worry about that match with Slytherin." Alex laughs again. "What kind of broom are you getting?"

"I'm looking to get a Nimbus 2000. 2001, if I can afford it. Terry says I may need it, next year."

"He's training you for Seeker?"

Ashton nods, wondering how much he really should be giving away to someone on another team, then realises he'd find out anyhow. "Yeah. For next year, after Cho leaves."

Alex nods, and looks at you appraisingly. "Yeah. You've got the perfect build for it. That'll be good for you."

He nods. "As exciting as just being able to play is, if I could play Seeker..." His look goes a bit glassy. "Oh, that would be rather amazing."

Alex smiles. "Yeah. I'm happy being a Beater... don't have the build for much else... but I imagine playing Seeker is really excellent."

He smiles back. "I imagine it would be. I hope it works out that way. Right now, though, I really ought to concentrate on practising hard enough to play, this year."

"Well, if you ever want to go flying with someone you can come looking for me. I need to get in all the extra practices I can." Alex looks at you slyly. "Although you'd probably rather fly with our Seeker. I hear she's really good." And he winks, laughing.

He laughs, blushing, but not as much as before. "I bet she is. I intend to find out, too. But, I'll have to take you up on that sometime. If, that is, I can tear you away from Dean long enough?"

Alex blushes slightly again, shrugging and looking down. "I don't know. I've been spending most of my free time with him lately...It's been nice."

He nods. "I can imagine. Um...is Dean...is he...your first boyfriend?"

An odd look crosses Alex's eyes and his smiles fades just a little, but only for a second before he turns back to you and grins. "Um. Nah. But he's the first really incredible one."

"Oh." He notices the look, but decides that if Alex really wants to tell him what's behind it, he will in his own time. "Well, I'm glad for you. I just...haven't ever had one before. Um, boyfriend or girlfriend, and...well, was just curious." He shrugs.

"Well, you made a good choice for your first one." Alex blushes a bit. "I'll tell you a secret... I had a huge crush on Hannah in third year. Don't worry though, I'm over it.... But I think you two will be really great."

He smiles. "Thanks. But, maybe...you should tell her that, though. She said that she thought people never noticed her. I don't really know how I missed her, but...well, I don't suppose that matters much, now. Gosh. Isn't that so odd? Suddenly, I'm part of this 'us'. Me and her. And..." He sighs. "I feel like I'm going to burst from smiling.

Alex sighs too and pats Ashton's arm again. "I know. It's great isn't it? Makes you feel... stronger, somehow?"

"Yeah, it is." He notices his team starting to assemble on the pitch. "Well, hey. I'd love to talk all day, but, practise, you know?"

Alex looks out toward the pitch. "Oh yeah! Do you mind if I stay around and watch? I'd love to see you fly.... Besides, have to access the enemy and make a full report to my own team, you know."

He giggles at that. "Sure thing, 'spy'. Ashton grins. "Of course you can."

Alex beams and pats Ashton on the back again. "You'll do great."

He smiles, and then, after a moment of thought, gives Alex a quick hug. "Thanks again. I'll talk to you later, okay?" He stands up, checking his gloves, and then picking up his broom.

Alex hugs him back warmly and then nods. "Definately!" Then he leans back in the stands and focuses on the team getting ready.

Ashton scampers off to join the rest of his team.

[fin.]